International Christmas Fest – December 2015

07Dec

This year we were so privileged once again to host International Christmas Fest at UBC, with a “Christmas lights theme!” What an awesome opportunity this event is for so many ministries who have a specific reach to international students here in Fayetteville, to all come together for the purpose of sharing the true meaning of Christmas. Several students from various counties shared about how Christmas is celebrated in their hometowns, the infamous “ICT Band” performed, and several others used their various talents to make the show unique—these students are so gifted in many ways! Santa made an appearance to tell the true Christmas Story and then the Gospel was shared as we are all reminded of how all of these Christmas lights point us to the true Light of the World—Christ! This year we had more students then previous years and from so many different countries.

Following the program, we made our way over to Fellowship Hall for the “Festival of Flavors!” International students prepared some dishes from their countries, while some generous American families provided crockpots of soup and dozens of delicious cookies! This was an awesome opportunity to reconnect with students who we hadn’t seen in a while!

Personally, I was reminded of how gracious the Lord has been to place some specific students in my life this year—and to consider the impact the Gospel continues to have as it falls upon their ears. Even just this week, one of my dear Muslim friends asked for a bible and if I would study it with her!! I was so encouraged she got to come to Christmas Fest as it was another opportunity for her to be washed in the Word and loved on by more believers. A highlight of the evening was when an Iraqi family I met in the park with the Carters in August showed up to the event (though none of us specifically thought to invite them!), and then over the meal time, the husband asked for a bible he could read! We are SO excited to see how God uses His Word to reveal Himself to this Muslim family who is seeking Truth!

And a HUGE thank you to so many of you, who prepared delicious food, came to serve throughout the night, and prayed for these students and our time with them—I cannot emphasize enough how grateful we are to you all!